Tuning; is it ok to start with the wideband then go to plug reading?
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As the topic says can you use the wideband O2 sensor to get you close to where you need to be then start reading plugs or should you just go straight to plugs?
I know reading plugs is the best way to go at which I have zero experience with and am trying to learn.
I know the bigger shot you run reading plugs become more important.
I am afraid with my lack of plug reading skills I will be so far off I won't know what to do. That's why I thought the wideband might get me close starting off.
I have read several threads from HSW and Nitro Dave about depending on the persons knowledge/experience depends on what information they give out, if that makes sense. Nitro Dave explained it better than me.
I am going to be using 100 wet shot from a plate on my engine which "should" make around 430rwhp on motor.
I have the racetronix pump w/ hot wire, Mircroedge+, Interface, FPSS and a wideband O2. I am using the BR7 spark plug. Compression is 11:1
I am going to have my tuner set up the IAT table so I can use the interface to adjust how much timing I am pulling. I am going to start at a 50-75 shot and work my way up and learn as I go.
I know each motor is different but what is a "safe" area to be at with the air/fuel mixture? I have read rich is not always safe.
There are some super smart people in here and I hope I can get pointed in the right direction.
Thanks for any input.![Chug! Chug! Chug!](https://ls1tech.com/forums/images/smilies/LS1Tech/gr_chug.gif)
Jason
I know reading plugs is the best way to go at which I have zero experience with and am trying to learn.
I know the bigger shot you run reading plugs become more important.
I am afraid with my lack of plug reading skills I will be so far off I won't know what to do. That's why I thought the wideband might get me close starting off.
I have read several threads from HSW and Nitro Dave about depending on the persons knowledge/experience depends on what information they give out, if that makes sense. Nitro Dave explained it better than me.
I am going to be using 100 wet shot from a plate on my engine which "should" make around 430rwhp on motor.
I have the racetronix pump w/ hot wire, Mircroedge+, Interface, FPSS and a wideband O2. I am using the BR7 spark plug. Compression is 11:1
I am going to have my tuner set up the IAT table so I can use the interface to adjust how much timing I am pulling. I am going to start at a 50-75 shot and work my way up and learn as I go.
I know each motor is different but what is a "safe" area to be at with the air/fuel mixture? I have read rich is not always safe.
There are some super smart people in here and I hope I can get pointed in the right direction.
Thanks for any input.
![Chug! Chug! Chug!](https://ls1tech.com/forums/images/smilies/LS1Tech/gr_chug.gif)
Jason
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Sounds like you are being smart about it - you will be fine...
I would run the AFR at around 12:1... Pull plenty of timing and add it back slowly to find what it wants...
Reading plugs is not all that hard - do some searching and you'll find plenty of good info and help...
I would run the AFR at around 12:1... Pull plenty of timing and add it back slowly to find what it wants...
Reading plugs is not all that hard - do some searching and you'll find plenty of good info and help...
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Sounds like you are being smart about it - you will be fine...
I would run the AFR at around 12:1... Pull plenty of timing and add it back slowly to find what it wants...
Reading plugs is not all that hard - do some searching and you'll find plenty of good info and help...
I would run the AFR at around 12:1... Pull plenty of timing and add it back slowly to find what it wants...
Reading plugs is not all that hard - do some searching and you'll find plenty of good info and help...
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Wideband usually is one sensor in one bung on one side of the exhaust system. This being said the wideband gives you cumulative average of all 8 cylinders where "Plug Reading" gives you specific info per cylinder. They also are known to have large variances and lasltly when they go out there is usually no warning.
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Wideband usually is one sensor in one bung on one side of the exhaust system. This being said the wideband gives you cumulative average of all 8 cylinders where "Plug Reading" gives you specific info per cylinder. They also are known to have large variances and lasltly when they go out there is usually no warning.
Also you cant see a timing mark with the wideband and you dont know if the calibration is close. We use the WB and look at plugs, when I pull a plug I can already tell within a few numbers what the WB will read on the data logger.
Probably be fine with just the WB on a small shot. Take this time on the small jets to learn what it looks like on the plug and WB when you make a change.
It will help you TONS down the road.
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The guys who spray big nitrous shots are absolutely correct that THEY need to read plugs. This is mainly because uneven distribution becomes a bigger problem as shot size increases. And it is obviously true that a wideband can be fooled by misfires. But misfires have nothing to do with nitrous and you might want to eliminate misfires even if you don’t have a wideband. If you are new to nitrous you should start with a small shot and you should monitor oxygen/fuel with a wideband while you learn to read plugs.
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Bingo!
Also you cant see a timing mark with the wideband and you dont know if the calibration is close. We use the WB and look at plugs, when I pull a plug I can already tell within a few numbers what the WB will read on the data logger.
Probably be fine with just the WB on a small shot. Take this time on the small jets to learn what it looks like on the plug and WB when you make a change.
It will help you TONS down the road.
Also you cant see a timing mark with the wideband and you dont know if the calibration is close. We use the WB and look at plugs, when I pull a plug I can already tell within a few numbers what the WB will read on the data logger.
Probably be fine with just the WB on a small shot. Take this time on the small jets to learn what it looks like on the plug and WB when you make a change.
It will help you TONS down the road.
![Hail](https://ls1tech.com/forums/images/smilies/LS1Tech/gr_hail.gif)
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What everyone above said is absolutely true - but judging from your original post, I think you have your head on straight and already knew all that was said... get your system working and learn on the small shots and pick up plug reading along the way. Just don't get in a rush or get greedy before your knowledge level grows...
And even before you become a good plug reader - pull some out and look at them - big problems will be evident even to the untrained eye (if you see a ground strap missing, I think you'd have a clue LOL)...
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Bingo!
Also you cant see a timing mark with the wideband and you dont know if the calibration is close. We use the WB and look at plugs, when I pull a plug I can already tell within a few numbers what the WB will read on the data logger.
Probably be fine with just the WB on a small shot. Take this time on the small jets to learn what it looks like on the plug and WB when you make a change.
It will help you TONS down the road.
Also you cant see a timing mark with the wideband and you dont know if the calibration is close. We use the WB and look at plugs, when I pull a plug I can already tell within a few numbers what the WB will read on the data logger.
Probably be fine with just the WB on a small shot. Take this time on the small jets to learn what it looks like on the plug and WB when you make a change.
It will help you TONS down the road.
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Here is an excellent article showing how to read plugs. I recently switched to E85 and had to go 2 steps colders on the plugs after reading the plugs.
http://www.empirenet.com/pkelley2/sparkplugreading.html
http://www.empirenet.com/pkelley2/sparkplugreading.html
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edit - porcelain also shows signs of detonation